Art lovers Ranjit and Sahana Singh of Patna travelled to Bombay and then to Aurangabad to see the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves , they wanted to see this precious heritage before the ravages of time eroded it any further.
The gateway to the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves, Aurangabad is a city worth exploring in itself. Founded by the Nizam Shahi rulers, it later became the capital of Aurangzeb in 1653, who wanted to establish his presence in the Deccan.
Highlights
Bibi ka Maqbara, a replica of the Taj Mahal, built by Aurangzeb's son Azam Shah, in memory of his mother.
Dargah of Shah Musafir- the grave of the Sufi saint who was Aurangzeb's spiritual guru, lies in a beautiful garden here. It is also famous for the Panchakki - a huge water mill that was used to grind grain and got its water from a river 6km away.
Himroo Factory -
visit this shawl factory, which makes the famous handwoven shawls with
intricate patterns all over. The city is famous for its Himroo shawls
and saris.
AurangabadCaves - These are Buddhist caves from the 1st to 7th
century AD just two kilometres from the city. The oldest Cave (No.4)
has an impressive chaitya griha with a stupa carved out of a single
stone. Many of the other caves have intricate carvings of Bodhisattvas
and other figurines.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ellora caves span five centuries of work of Jain, Buddhist and Hindu art. Spread across the hilly slopes is a profusion of richly decorated shrines, temples, monasteries and halls. There are 12 Buddhist caves (600-800 AD); 17 Hindu caves (600-900 AD); and five Jain caves (800-1000 AD).
Highlights
KailasanathTemple -
This magnificent piece of work was carved out of a single rock face
over 150 years, using the manpower of 7000 labourers. It is dedicated
to Lord Shiva and is meant to symbolise his heavenly abode - MountKailash.
It is an intricate maze of temples, halls, corridors, dormitories, and
monasteries, richly carved with gods and goddesses, and scenes from
mythology.
BuddhistCaves - dating from the 7th and 8th
cen. AD, these caves have nine richly-carved viharas (monasteries) and
a chaitya griha (hall) with a figure of Teaching Buddha in front of a
stupa. Caves 10,11 and 12 are the most spectacular.
HinduCaves -
these are the best works in Ellora and Cave 14 (Ravana ki Khai) is the
most spectacular out of all. Cave 15 has a spectacular carving of
Dashavatar.
JainCaves -
the simplest of all the caves, these are also belong to the last stage
of Ellora's development. Cave 32, known as Indra Sabha, is the most
spectacular among these.
AJANTA
This
exquisitely artistic group of 30 caves is situated in a dense forest,
with a river and waterfalls dripping into the Saptakunda pool. They
belong to two periods the ancient Hinayana period (2nd-1st cen. BC) when Buddha was not depicted in human form; and the later Mahayana period (5th-6th cen. BC) the sculptures of which are more elaborate and flamboyant, with several enormous Buddha statues.
There are several Chaitya Grihas, galleries, viharas (monasteries) and varsha vatikas (rain shelters) all over the complex.
Cave 1 has the most famous of Ajanta murals (wall paintings).
Cave 2 has a magnificent painted ceiling and sculptures of Naga kings and their attendants.
Cave 9 is a chaitya with intricately carved windows and large statues of Buddha along the sides.
Caves 16 and 17 are also famous for their sculpted figures of Bhuddha, other human forms and floral motifs.
Welcome to Maharashtra - Maharashtra is very popular among tourists of India. In fact, its capital city is one of the most visited cities in the entire country of India.
Maharashtra Tourism Blog - Lush green hilly plains, calm clean and scenic sea shores, historical monuments, Wild life and reserve forests, these are the few words that can replace the word "Maharashtra Tourism" .
Official Websites
Maharashtra Tourism - Maharashtra Tourism Government portal - Official website of Dept. of Tourism, covers Places of Interest in Maharashtra, Lists of Temples in Maharashtra etc.,
Maharashtra Government - Maharashtra Government portal covering diverse topics including health, tourism, culture, climate, Tenders and e-Governance.
Other Useful Links
Deccan Odyssey - A heritage train tour on the Deccan Odyssey through the kingdom of the Marathas - Maharashtra. Travel through time and cultures.
Maharashtra woos medical tourists - Medical Tourism: Many people from the developed world are coming to Maharashtra for hip replacements or brain surgery.
